Folding swing-chair



A. F. BAILLY. FOLDING SWING CHAIR. APPLICATION nuzo FEB. 13. 1919.

4 SHEETS-SHEET I. 6/

um/W01? /4. 55/7/11) /1 TTOR/VEVS Patented May 6, 1919.

' A. F. BAILLY. FOLDING SWING CHAIR; APPLICATION man FEB. 13. me.

Patented May 6, 1919. 4 SHEETS-SHEET 3- Z 6.

ARTHUR F. BAILLY, OF TRENTON, NEW JERSEY.

FOLDING SWING-CHAIR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May (-3. 1919.

Application filed February 13, 1919. Serial No. 276,752.

To all whom. it may concern:

Be it known that I, ARTHUR F. BAILLY, a citizen of the United States,and a resident of Trenton, in the county of Mercer and State of NewJersey, have invented a new and Improved Folding Swing-Chair, of whichthe following is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to swinging chairs or like articles of furnitureand has particular reference to a folding chair or cot adapted to beadjusted for use in either sitting, reclining or any intermediate stage.being adapted to be folded into very small or flat space fortransportation, or storage purposes, and one which is designed toprovide a maximum degree of comfort to the occupant and with means forcausing the swinging thereof by a simple and convenient footmanipulation independent, however, of the floor or other stationaryobject.

With the foregoing and other objects in view the invention consists inthe arrangement and combination of parts hereinafter described andclaimed, and while the invention is not restricted to the exact detailsof construction disclosed or suggested herein, still for the purpose ofillustrating a practical embodiment thereof reference is had to theaccompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate thesame parts in the several views, and in which Figure 1 is a perspectiveview of a preferred embodiment jnsted for use as a swinging chair.

Fig. 2 is a similar view indicating the adjustment of the device as acot.

Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the device folded, portions being brokenaway.

Fig. 4c is a similar view on the opposite side from Fig. 3. I I

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the device in the position of Fig. 3. I

Fig. (Bis a horizontal 6-6 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 7 is a vertical section on the line 77 ofFig.3. Fig. 8 is a detailsectional view on the line 8-8 of Fig. 6; and v a 1 Figs. 9 to 16' aredetail views of various connections described more fully below. a

Referring now more specifically to the drawings I show a main supportcomprising two open topped rectangular front and rear frames 20 and 21pivoted together at section on the line of the invention adtheir upperends by means of two coaxial jointed pivots 22 each comprising screwand. socket members 22 and 22 respectively fitted in cylindrical holes23 formed in the upper ends of the frame members and locked therein bymeans of keys 24. (See Fig. 9). It will be noted that these screw andsocket members have no parts projecting beyond the surfaces of the framemembers, and yet they provide a strong and re liable pivot means betweenthe parts. Each fran'ie member comprises a horizontal bar or brace 25having its ends secured to the corner or foot portions of the frame bymeans of anchor braces 26 preferably countersunk into the frame membersor legs and the cross brace as shown in Fig. 16. The cross brace and theanchor members preferably lie flush at the front and rear faces 0 theframe members, but the braces are approximately only half the width ofthe frame members from front to rear. The frame members 20 are notchedout at 27 just back of the brace 25 to admit the brace of the rear framemembers 21 in folded posit-ion. (see Figs. 5. 7 and 8) hence no part ofthe frame members or cross braces extend bore 20 and 21 when folded. Theframes 20-and 21 constitute a sortof self bracing support for the entirestructure and the spread of the frame members from each other ispreferably limited by a pair of books 28 secured to the rear edges ofthe frame members 20 and coii'perating with holes 29 bored laterallythrough the companion legs or frame members 21; said hooks 28 in thefolded position of the device lie hidden in recesses 30 formed in theframe legs 20. v

Attached directly to the main frame support and pivoted coaxially withthe pivots 22 thereof is what I term a hanger com prising two pairs offront and rear bars 31 and 32 each pair being pivoted together at theirupper ends by screw and socket members 33 and 34 of the same generalcharacter as themembers 22 and 22 above described though of preferablysmaller diameter, and the socket member 3A has a laterally projectingscrew end fitted .into the socket 35 of the screw member 22 whereby thehanger members are connected coaxially with main frame. (See Fig. 9).socket members 33 and 34 are locked in their beyond the thickness of themem-' the pivot members 22 of the The screw and respective hangermembers by pins 36. The threaded engagement between any one of thesepivot members and the adjacent meur ber provides free swinging movementas far as desired without materially loosening or weakening theconnection between them, and yet there are no parts projecting from theframe members that would tend to interfere with the close folding ornesting of the parts or endanger the occupants clothing or person. Asindicated in Figs. 3, l and 6 the frame and hanger members are alladapted to lie in essentially the same plane or flat space when folded.The members 3'1 and 32 of each pair are adapted to be braced in'position with their lower ends spread apart by means of a rod 37 jointedat 38 to the rear edge of the member 31 and having a hook cooperatingwith any one of a series of holes 39 formed in the lower portion of theother hanger member. These holes, like the holes 29, are bored laterallyinto the members. 32.

The seat or bed portion of the comprises a foldable frame and a flexiblewebbing formed of fabric or its equivalent reaching all the way from thehead to the foot portion thereof whereby maximum com fort to theoccupant is assured, practically no hard or rigid portions of the chairor cot being subjected to direct contact of the person to hisdiscomfort.

The frame portion of the seat or cot includes a plurality of n'iembersarranged in pairs on right and left sides and for convenience indescription these members may be termed back members 40, hip members ll.thigh members 42, leg members 43 and foot members 44, each member ofeach pair being pivoted at at least one end to another memr of adjacentpair. More specifically the back members 40 are pivoted at 5L5 to thehip members 41 while the front ends of the hip members are pivoted at4:6 to the loweends of the hanger members 31. The lower or rear ends ofthe thigh members 42 are joint ed preferably as shown in Fig. 1 indetail to the rear hanger members 32 by means of adouble threaded bolt47 tapped into a pair of bosses 8rigidly secured as by suitable rivets49 to the respective members 42 and 43. The length of the threaded bolt47 thus provides sufficient clearance between the members 42 and 32 toaccommodate the hip members 41 and haiiger members 31, (see Figs. 3 and4) and yet the character of the joint as indicated in Fig. 11 possessesample strength for all practical purposes. The thigh members 4:2 areointed to the leg niemhers 43 by means of pivots 5 0, and the footmembers are pivoted to the leg members by means of pivots 51. Incomparing Figs. 1 and 2 it will be noted that the inclination of theback members 40 with respect to the hip members 41' around the pivotsmay be chair or cot regulated by means of rods 52 jointed to the rearedges of the rear hanger members 32, (see Fig. 3) and have hooks enageable in any one of a long series of holes 53 bored laterally into theback members 40. Thus the back members may be adjusted if desiredthrough any desired angle from horizontal to vertical. When in foldedcondition the hooks of the rods 52 are fitted into holes 5% bored in therear faces of the hanger bars 32 and likewise the rods 37 are so foldedas to have their hooks project into holes 55 bored in the rear edges ofthe front hanger bars 31. Thus the pivoted hooks or braces are providedwith means to prevent dangling or interference in the folding action.The foot members of the chair frame are provided with a cross bar or toepiece 56 against which the toes may be rested on occupying the chair orcot. The foot piece is maintained in upright position by means of coilspring eonnections 57, or their equivalent, with the upper ends of thestationary frame members 20 where they are enga eable with hooks 58 setinto notches 59. (See Figs. 1, 2 and l). hen sitting or reclining uponthe chair or cot a slight degree of pressure of the toes upon the toepiece 56 will react through the springs 57 to cause a swinging movementof the entire device except the stationary frame around the axis of thepivots 22.

The head portion at the back comprises a fixed cross rod 60 extendingpermanently between the back members 10 at a suitable distance below theupper ends thereof and above this bar 60 is arranged a paddedhead rest61 mounted to swing around the axis of two pivot members 62 parallel tothe rod 60. The head rest comprises a main pillow portion and twoauxiliary pads 63 and 64 which may occupy various positions according tothe position or inclination of the occupant. Compare Figs. 1, 2 and 7 4In Fig. l the auxiliary pillows 63 and 64 are idle, hanging back of thebar 60. In. Fig. 2 both of the auxiliary pillows are folded so as toform an additional head rest on top of or in frontof the main head rest61. The swinging of the head rest 61 accommodates this multiple headrest device to its different positions. Obviously in the folded positionof the chair or cot the several portions of the head rest are laid outas fiat as possible.

The main body support as above intimated comprises a flexible sheet orstrip of an}. suitable fabric 65'. the head end of which is fixedpermanently to the cross bar 60 while the remaining portion thereof isprojected downward and forward to a roller 66 at the occupants heels.Any suitable ratchet mechanism or the like may be provided to preventundesired loosening of the webbing by the rolling of the roller 66. Theonly intermediate supports for the webbing; 65 are a plurality oftransverse flexible and preferably elastic straps 67 and (38 under theback and legs of the occupant respectively. The back strap (57 isattached. to the lower ends of the back members so and the leg strap (38is attached to the front ends of the thigh members t I. thus provide anexceedingly con'rlortable bed or seat for the occupant, the webbingconforming automatically to the person s figure. The straps 67 and 68are permanently attached in the places indicated, interfering in no waywith the folding of the device.

Referring now to Figs. 2, 13, 14: and 15 I provide peculiar arm restsand oints for the same each arm rest including an arm rest proper 69comprising a rigid bar of wood or the like having interlocking jointedconnection with a back frame bar i0 through devices shown in the detailviews and comprising a bracket 70 countersunk into the front face of abar 4:0 and having a finger 71 pro j-ecting inward toward the oppositearm rest, the axis of the finger being approximately opposite the middleportion of the bar 40. The bracket includes also between the finger andbar a pair of teeth 72 projecting forward. The rear end of the arm rest69 carries a rigid bracket 7 3 having loose pivotal connection through aslot 74 with the finger 71 and having adjacent to the slot portion aseries of teeth 7 5 arranged in an arc of a circle for directinterlocking coaction with the teeth. 72. The main portion of thebracket 73 is angular so as to present a flat face 76 against the frontface of the back member 40 making a substantially rigid arm rest afterit is adjusted. The variation in radius between the finger 71 and thecontacting portion of the arm rest is compensated for by the slot 7 4.Compare Figs. 14 and 15. Obviously, however, the arm rest may be set atany angle and provided for by the interlocking teeth 72 and 75. In thefolding of the device each arm rest is simply slipped laterally alongthe finger 71 so as to clear the bar 40 and its bracket 70 and yetretain pivotal engagement betwen the two brackets.

Supplemental to the transverse bracing means for the frame members Iprovide a bar 77 extending across between the rear ends of the hipmembers 41 as a permanent connection and fixed thereto within cutawayparts 7 8. When the device is folded the back members 4&0 fold againstthe rear face of the cross bar 77. Another bar 7 7 extends acrossbetween the front ends of the hip members 41. Attention is called alsoto a pair of legs 79 pivoted upon the cross rod 60 and lying against theinner faces of the back members 4.0 when the device is folded, which mayor may not be used according to whether the swinging arm is desired tobe held. stationary or allowed to swing freely.

I claim:

1. In a swinging chair, of a main support, a hanger pivoted to swingwithin the support, a chair frame comprising a plurality of relativelyadjustable i'ncmbers arranged in pairs and connected to the hanger forswinging therewith, a flexible body support adjustable for use as achair or as a cot and having adjustable con nection with the chairframe, and means extending between the chair frame and the main supportto cause the swinging of the hanger and chair frame by operation of aportion of the occupants person.

2. In a swinging chair, the combination of a chair frame, means tosuspend the same for swinging movement, said frame comprising pairs ofconnected members and means to adjust the same into different positionsaccording to the inclination of the occupant, said frame including afoot piece against a portion of which the occupants feet may bear, aflexible body support con nected to and supported by the frame andconforming to the o-ccupants body, and elastic means extending betweenthe foot piece and the main support whereby the pressure of theoccupants feet against the foot piece will cause the swinging of thechair.

3. In a swinging chair. the combination of a chair frame comprisingjointed an fold-able members arranged in pairs on opposite sidesthereof, a flexible body support extending along the frame from the headthereof to the foot, resilient transverse members extending beneath theback and leg portions of the body support, and an adjustable head restswung between the head portions of the frame at the upper end of thebody support, a portion of the head rest being projectable between themain portion thereof and the body support or into a position thecombination on top of the same.

41:. In a folding chair, the combination of a plurality of frame membersand means pivotally connecting said members together. said meanscomprising a pair of coaxial screw and socket members fitted within thesurfaces of the frame members, one of the frame members being providedwith a screw threaded into the socket members, and means to lock saidmembers in the frame members set forth.

5. In a swinging chair, the combination of a pair of relativelystationary frame members, a pair of screw and socket members fitted inthe respective frame members and having rotatable connection with eachother, a pair of swinging frame members adjacent to the stationary framemembers, and pivot connections between the swinging frame members andthe stationary frame members all arranged coaxially of one another.

6. In: a folding. swing chair, the combina tion of a, relativelystationary support, a hanger comprising two bars, pivot connec tionsbetween the two hanger bars and the first mentioned frame, and pivotconnections between the remote end of one of. the hanger bars and one ofthe supporting frame bars and pivot connections bet-ween the otherhanger bar and the other supporting frame bar, the two members connectedby the last mentioned connections lying in close relation to each otherand between the previously mentioned hanger bar and supporting framemember, the pivot connections for the first mentioned hanger bar andframe member providing for the folding of the other members betweenthem.

ARTHUR r. BAILLY.

Copies 01' this patent may be obtained for five cents each, byaddressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. 0.

